1. Social Stratification

2. Part ONE: The Basics

3. Social Stratification
DEFINITION: the ranking of individuals based on the unequal distribution of power, prestige & property
Access to scarce resources & social rewards
Resources & Rewards:
Ex: Education, stable job and bank loan

4. Social Stratification
In most cases, power, prestige & property occur together; however, this is not always true
EXAMPLES?

6. Social Stratification
Property:
Net worth and/or wealth
Objective measurement
Power:
Capacity to influence people & events in order to obtain wealth & prestige

7. Social Stratification
Prestige:
An individual’s status among his peers and in society
Subjective measurement

8. Social Stratification
Which careers do you think are most prestigious? Least prestigious? Do you agree??

9. Socioeconomic Status
DEFINITION: a rating that determines an individual’s relative position within the system of stratification
Three Factors:
Education
Occupation
Income

10. Part TWO: Systems of Stratification

11. Caste System Position based on ascribed status
Fixed, closed boundaries
Not much potential for social mobility
Endogamy; exogamy not permitted
Status consistency

12. Class System Position based on achieved status Open boundaries
Greater potential for social mobility
Endogamy not required; exogamy allowed
Less status consistency

13. Social Class
DEFINITION: a group of people who share similar levels of wealth, influence and status (SES)
Sociologists use THREE methods to determine one’s social class

14. Social Class Objective Method: analyzes “hard” facts
Subjective Method: asks people what they think of themselves
Reputational Method: asks what people think of others

15. Part THREE: Social Stratification in the US

16. Hot Button Question: Why are wealthy people wealthy
Hot Button Question: Why are wealthy people wealthy? Why are poor people poor?

17. Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because…
They obtain wealth by working well-paying jobs, investing/saving their money & by making smart financial decisions
They are the in most cases the ones that worked the hardest
They have made some type of effort to get the money they have
Because they are raised well, hard-working, and/or lucky
They either worked their *** off all their lives or they’ve become wealthy from a past generation that worked their butt off

18. Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because…
They have the ability to stay wealthy by maybe manipulation, discretion, and some stay wealthy keeping poor the poor
They could own their own business, or have a very advanced job at a major company where they are paid good money. In my opinion, not all wealthy people deserve to be wealthy. Some are only wealthy b/c of money they inherited from their parents, so in reality they worked for nothing
Wealthy people are almost always afforded unique opportunities from birth
Because of their parents…or b/c their attractive and married into it

19. Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because…
Because our capitalist economic system is being hindered by socialist methods from our government. These socialist policies are to blame for the worrying pattern of the wealthy remaining wealthy through generations, and the poor and homeless being unable to find more success. After all, capitalism guarantees an equal chance of finding success for all, not guaranteed success for all…but hey, if you prefer that comfort, please move to France and let the USA do its own thing. 

20. Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because…
They work hard to earn a living. They save their money wisely in order to remain wealthy.
They worked harder or smarter than everyone else.
They are smart, work hard, and work in fields that are their strengths.
They went the extra mile to succeed and have the best education to get the best paying job.

21. Student Responses…Wealthy people are wealthy because…
They have money.
They either inherited the money or they know how the world works.
They can afford excess.
They either have an amazing job, or got money passed down.
Often wealthy people are wealthy because they are born into a family who has collected wealth for many years.

22. Student Responses…Poor people are poor because…
They either didn’t try or didn’t want to work hard
Of bad financial decisions, not having enough money to overspend/live beyond their means
They have not made smart financial decisions
They have not done anything, therefore they are poor
Usually because they are lazy or stupid

23. Student Responses…Poor people are poor because…
Each person has a “hand” dealt to them in life. Intelligence, as well as social opportunities such as wealth, schooling and peer group influences our goals and outcomes
In most cases, I don’t think poor people work any less hard – they just didn’t necessarily have the same advantages of others
Poor people usually haven’t had access to the resources needed to break the cycle of poverty
They were born into poverty

24. Student Responses…Poor people are poor because…
They are lazy and don’t work as hard as wealthy people.
They are lazy and don’t do enough for themselves and probably do drugs.
Poor people don’t know how to invest and save their money. Also, they don’t take advantage of the education given to them.
They don’t want to try as hard as those who are wealthier.
They want to work for someone instead of being an entrepreneur.
They are unwilling to work or have bad luck.

25. Student Responses…Poor people are poor because…
They have lower income jobs.
They either lost a job, grew up in a poor environment, don’t have an education, or couldn’t afford an education, or are just lazy and live off the government.
They were either born into a poor family and had less opportunities or did not work hard.
The poor are poor because of their pre-existing situation, economic tragedies that happened in their life, and their low access to higher paying jobs.
Poor people may not have the same opportunities as the wealthy.

26. And Finally…
Some people are wealthy because they worked hard to get a good job. Some people are poor because they haven’t worked for money. HOWEVER, more often people are born into a social class that gives them either advantages or disadvantages in society.

27. Hot Button Question: Is homelessness a problem that should concern the American public? If so, what should be done to remedy the issue of homelessness? Should the government do something?

28. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, the government needs to afford all of its citizens an equal chance at contributing their potential to society. This equal opportunity often needs an initial assistance to be functional.
Yes, we should never abandon or turn our backs on those most in need. Those who “have” think they have worked hard for what they have and think they poor are just lazy; however, the poor have worked just as hard, they just aren’t given the same opportunities

29. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, because we pride ourselves on being a country to helps all
I feel like homelessness should be a concern to the American public because if we were to put ourselves in their shoes, half of us would not survive due to the “spoiledness” that we have become…since everyone is so quick to take in a stray dog or cat, why can’t we as humans, help other humans in need?

30. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, it should concern the public. A nation can best be seen at how it treats its worst of citizens. Much more than what is being done, via welfare programs and outreach projects to actually help those in need get back on their feet
Yes, homelessness degrades the quality of lift for all around
Yes, I don’t think it should be an obligation that people help the homeless, but I still wish more people would care to help

31. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, I think that many people have the misconception that homeless individuals are the people who made poor decisions or didn’t follow the “right” track in life. Though this may be true for some, most are stuck in an unfortunate situation

32. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, homelessness should be a concern because people have a need and for most of them it isn’t their fault. Even if it is their fault, we should try to help. A remedy would be for everyone to donate food, or time to build shelters or talk to these people.
Yes. There should be a bigger effort to create homeless shelters where people can be educated and helped to find a job.

33. Student Responses…YES!
Yes, homelessness should be a concern because people have a need and for most of them it isn’t their fault. Even if it is their fault, we should try to help. A remedy would be for everyone to donate food, or time to build shelters or talk to these people.
Yes. There should be a bigger effort to create homeless shelters where people can be educated and helped to find a job.

34. Student Responses…YES!
There is homelessness all over America, it just might not be seen in places that aren’t big cities. I think it should concern people. I don’t believe that people shouldn’t have a home. More people should be willing to open up homeless shelters and feed hungry and homeless people.

35. Student Responses…UMM…
To a certain extent, yes homelessness is a bad thing and we should try to help in any way, but there will always be homeless people so it should not be our main focus.
To an extent. There isn’t much that can be done if they aren’t willing to work for it.
To an extent. Charity work is great and should be encouraged; however, it should not turn into the burden for others to bear

36. Student Responses…UMM…
Homelessness is a problem, but I think we should look at it on a person level. I believe we should ask the questions: Are they truly trying hard to get a job? Are they drug-free?
Homelessness is a problem that should be sympathized by the American public, but not one that should concern them because all societies have homeless people. We should just continue trying to create jobs and collecting food for charities.

37. Student Responses…NO!
I don’t think that homelessness is that much of a problem today because of all of the welfare bills or acts that allow people to live off of the government. The government is allowing people to not have to work and still receive money.

38. Student Responses…NO!
No, homelessness is not an American problem, it is the homeless person’s problem.
Homelessness is not a concern America should be worried about because it’s an individual’s problem.
No. Most of the time it’s their fault.

40. Spring 2010

42. Hot Button Question: Does the government have a responsibility to help the homeless?

43. Student Responses…YES
Yes, whether it be giving them a temporary place to live or checks to help pay for food, help should always be given until those people get back on their feet. If our gov’t has the power to tax us and regulate our rights then they have the power to administer help to the struggling member of society
Yes, in a democratic society where the people hold the power, the gov’t should help those who do not have the same advantages

44. Student Responses…YES
The government’s job is to serve the people, not vice versa. It has duty to do everything it can do to help those who are having a difficult time in life
Yes, the gov’t is “for the people” so it should do everything in its power to help the less privileged
Yes, because a lot of time its not their fault. There’s a reason it’s called “privilege” and some people start off without that privilege at a disadvantage and they are stuck there through no fault of their own. The gov’t is supposed to look after the welfare of its people and it shouldn’t be able to pick and choose which ones to help and which ones to ignore

45. Student Responses…SORT OF?
The gov’t does have a responsibility , yet they should not continue to excessively rob those who work hard of their well earned money
I feel the gov’t should try and help the less privileged but not the ones that just don’t care at all about their future – that is a wast of time and money and effort
Yes, to an extent… It should be verified that those who the gov’t is investing in are having to help themselves (drug testing, looking for jobs, etc)
In a smaller way, yes. The gov’t should only assist those in most need with others dependent on them…they should be actively trying to help themselves…not just people who live off of the gov’t

46. Lower Class
15–20% of population
Less than $23,000/year

47. Lower Class Characteristics: Poverty, homelessness, unemployment
(Absolute poverty v. relative poverty)
Most do not have high school diplomas
Lack of adequate housing, food, clothing, safety, medical care, etc.

48. Working Class 30–40% of population
Median: males ($40,000) & females ($26,000)
Minimally educated, though generally have high school diplomas
Manual labor

49. Working Class Working poor: Unskilled workers
Dishwashers, cashiers, maids, servers, etc.
Minimum wage; underpaid
No opportunity for career advancement; “dead-end job”

50. Working Class Blue Collar: Skilled workers; trade
Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, truck drivers, police officers, etc.
Better wages than the working poor

51. Middle Class, “Sandwich”
40–50% of population
Median: males ($70,000) & females ($50,000)
Lower Middle:
Less education (B.A.) with lower incomes
Upper Middle:
Highly educated (M.A, PhD) with higher incomes

54. Upper Class 1–3% of population About 5% make $150,000+
25% of total wealth

56. Upper Class Lower-Upper: “New” money
Made from investments, business ventures, etc.

57. Upper Class Upper-Upper: “Old” money
Aristocratic, high-society, inheritance

59. Generally have an M.A. or higher

61. Manual, though skilled labor

63. Generally have a B.A.

65. May or may not have a high school education

67. Characterized by “new” money

69. Part FOUR: Theory

70. Stratification: Theory
Structural-Functionalism
vs.
Conflict Theory

71. Stratification: Theory
Functionalism:
Social stratification is a necessary component of society; the linkage of greater rewards to more important social positions benefits society as a whole; USEFUL & INEVITABLE
Conflict:
Social stratification is the result of social conflict; differences in social rewards serve the interests of some while harming the interests of others; ONLY USEFUL TO SOME PEOPLE

72. Stratification: Theory
Functionalism:
Matches talents & abilities to appropriate jobs
Values & beliefs that legitimize social inequality are shared throughout society
Conflict:
Ensures that large amounts of talent & ability will NOT be developed
Values & beliefs tend to reflect the interests of the more powerful members of society

73. Part FIVE: Social Mobility

74. Social Mobility
Definition: the movement between or within social classes or strata
An important feature of the open class system

75. Types of Social Mobility
Horizontal Mobility: movement within a social class or stratum
Does not involve any major change in a person’s wealth, power, or prestige
Most common

76. Types of Social Mobility
Vertical Mobility: movement between social classes or strata
Can be upward or downward

77. Types of Social Mobility
Intragenerational Mobility: a change in social position that occurs during a person's lifetime
Intergenerational Mobility: form of vertical mobility in which status differs between generations in the same family
A quick lesson on social mobility